Add a comment to Walking and Hiking Anecdote

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Want to comment on the following anecdote from Louise Burton ?

What about the dog . . . ?
I would just like to say that what bugs me is how dog unfriendly UK footpaths are. Lots of them are totally wired up so that dogs cannot get through at all.

The vast majority of people who walk in the countryside, with or without dogs are by nature decent, responsible people. I think they can be trusted to get there dogs through openings without letting out a whole flock sheep.

The best kind of openings for dogs are the lift up type that automatically drop down into place again once the dogs have gone through, although they need to be big enough for all types pf dogs, not just terriers.

This country is becoming very anti-dog and anti-everything countryside, a wishy washy nanny state, where you need permission to blow your nose.

Why not let people roam about in the countryside?

Why not let dogs have a good run around off the lead?

As I have said the type of people that want to do this aren't, exactly lager louts. Most people who go walking have dogs, don't councils realise this basic fact?

My other grievance is with farmers and other land owners, who take it upon themselves to take down footpath signs and plough up footpaths. Some even completely bar the way through. How dare they!

They should be prosecuted for doing so, they have no right whatsoever to do such things. They have not got the exclusive right to enjoy the countryside, it is everyone's right to get away from it all, to get a bit of peace and solitude.

Local councils are also at fault. Footpaths are no where near clearly enough marked out. How often do you try to follow a footpath and before long have no idea in which direction to go in to continue. You end up wandering about all over the place trying to find your way, then probably get accused of trespassing!